Millions of Americans seek cures for these chronic autoimmune diseases

On May 26, Congress introduced landmark legislation that will significantly increase federal investment and research into psoriasis, the nation's most prevalent autoimmune disease, affecting as many as 7.5 million Americans, and psoriatic arthritis, a related joint condition.

The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011 (PPARCCA), led by the National Psoriasis Foundation and its advocates, highlights the seriousness of psoriatic disease and advances the nation's efforts to find cures. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) introduced the bill in the Senate and Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-Pa.-6th) introduced it in the House of Representatives with support from Rep. Charles Gonzalez (D-Texas-20th).

If passed, the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Cure, and Care Act of 2011 will:

Secure $1.5 million a year for six years (2012-2017) to continue the psoriasis data collection effort at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The project began in 2009 when Congress approved the first-ever $1.5 million to gather information about psoriatic disease at the CDC to examine factors such as how many people have psoriasis in a population, age of onset, how it progresses and why people with psoriasis are at risk for other serious health conditions.

CDC researchers have completed the first phase of the project, but without continued funding, this initial investment will be lost. Data collection will help close the gap between what we know and what we don't know about psoriatic disease and may lead to better treatments and a cure.

The Psoriasis Foundation and others are bringing scientists from different disciplines together to study the connections between psoriatic disease and other serious health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes. PPARCCA calls on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to join these efforts—forming a strong public-private partnership to find a cure.

On June 7, nearly 200 people affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis will advocate in Washington, D.C., with the National Psoriasis Foundation to urge lawmakers to co-sponsor this important legislation.